Hi moo,
I think you have joined and stayed on this thread for quite some times even though yr AD is in 2006. So i'm sure you quite like GWP as yr wedding venue. We can understand your disappointment juz bcoz of one coordinator.
Overall, my impression of GWP (as a whole) remains good despite some hiccups beforehand wif coordinator as well. My evening banquet went on very smoothly. Can still remember on my AD when I arrived the hotel after tea ceremony, I was greeted and treated like their VIP. Their hospitality & service were excellent and indeed memorable. Throughout the day. I need not worry anything abt the banquet setup as they had everything ready and in order.
As u mentioned abt hotel intercontinental, i just attended a frenz's weddg recently. I must say their hotel ambience was good due to its higher celling and bigger space & it looks grand. But in term of foodwise, I would said no match for GWP. The food portion was miserable. But hey, that's purely my two cents worth point-of-view, for yr reference only.
My wedding @tudor ballrm wasnt that grand considering only 19 tables. However I'm very glad when I had some frenz complimenting that they really enjoyed my "small" wedding wif that cozy ambience & gd food! They also commented that small wedding means couple can mingle more wif guests & that's made the guests feel more personal and appreciated.
Although the venue is important, but I guess the process of planning with the hotel coordinator being responsible and service-oriented, is vital as well. So I wish you have better luck with Irene and join as an official GWP bride soon. Stay positive